Study Conducted by the Exercise and Physical Activity Resource Center at UCSD Reveals Riding an ElliptiGO Requires 33% More Effort than Conventional Cycling and is On Par with a Running Workout

San Diego, CA (February 28, 2012) –ElliptiGO Inc.
, creators of the world’s first outdoor elliptical running device, today released the results of a metabolic testing study conducted by the Exercise and Physical Activity Resource Center (EPARC) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD.) EPARC determined that the energy cost of riding an ElliptiGO required, on average, 33% more effort than cycling at that same speed. They also found that heart rate responses and perceived effort levels were very similar between the ElliptiGO and running, with riding an ElliptiGO at 16mph equivalent to running at 7.5mph (8:00 min/mile) and riding at 18.5mph equivalent to running at 8.6mph (7:00 min/mile.)

“From the very start, we designed the ElliptiGO specifically to emulate the running motion,” stated Brent Teal, Co-Founder and Co-President of ElliptiGO. “Our goal is to provide a high-performance workout experience that closely simulates running outdoors, while eliminating the associated impact. With the results of this study, we now have the data to show that our design was successful.”

Combining the best of running, cycling and the elliptical trainer, the ElliptiGO allows athletes of all levels to get a high-intensity workout without experiencing the repetitive impact of running. Healthy and injured athletes alike have found it the most effective way to get an outdoor running experience without the usual pounding on their bodies.

For the study, 6 male and female subjects between 30-41 years old completed multiple laps around the flat inner skirt of the San Diego Velodrome while wearing a heart monitor and a Cosmed k4b face mask with a portable metabolic unit. They rode a traditional bike, an ElliptiGO, and ran, at intensities ranging from easy to very difficult to capture data across all three exercise modes.

There are many factors that affect the energy expenditure of a given ElliptiGO rider or cyclist including rider size, weight, riding experience, and overall fitness. During flat riding conditions at speeds above 10mph, as was investigated in this study, the most significant factor is a rider's size and the corresponding frontal area that they have to push through the air like a sail. The upright riding position of the ElliptiGO gives the rider a much greater frontal area when compared to the more aerodynamic, hunched-over position of cycling, thus resulting in a higher effort required for the same speed. The study found that riding an ElliptiGO required, on average, 33% more effort than cycling at that same speed.

The study also found that heart rate responses and perceived exertion levels were very similar between the ElliptiGO and running. It was determined that riding an ElliptiGO at 16 mph was equivalent to running at 7.5 mph (8 min/mile), and riding at 18.5 mph was equivalent to running at 8.6 mph (7 min/mile).

“The results of this study will allow us to create a model for comparing the caloric burn rate of riding an ElliptiGO with cycling and running, so that people can get a more accurate estimation based on their individual height and weight,” said Teal. “That way both professional athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts will be able to incorporate the ElliptiGO into their training with more specificity.”

ElliptiGO has also created an
online calculator
based on this model that will allow anyone visiting their website to see how the ElliptiGO, cycling and running compare for someone of their height and weight.

About ElliptiGO

ElliptiGO, Inc. is a San Diego-based company that created the world’s first outdoor elliptical running device. Combining the best of running, cycling and the elliptical trainer, the ElliptiGO® delivers a high-performance workout experience that closely mimics running outdoors while eliminating the impact. Elliptical running is an effective way to build cardiovascular fitness without aggravating injuries, and a great alternative for people who can no longer run because of degenerative conditions. For everyone from the weekend warrior to the elite athlete, the ElliptiGO provides the most comfortable, fun and efficient way to get outside and be active.

About EPARC

The Exercise and Physical Activity Resource Center (EPARC) is a University of California, San Diego (UCSD) recharge center designed to offer state-of-the-science tools, resources, and services to researchers seeking to conduct high quality physical activity and exercise-related research. More information on EPARC can be found at:
http://www.ucsdeparc.org/